remember that one time I camped. . .

. . .these are some pics from that one time I camped

the whole group at calf creek falls

you do what you have to when you only have a 2 man tent

making our way through spooky or peek-a-boo

improvising for breakfast since we didn't have bowls

a closeup in spooky and peek-a-boo

again, the whole group at calf creek

how to have someone else pay for your dinner

I was just reminded of this great feat of mine that I thought was worth mentioning

at a friend's farewell dinner we sat at a long table, two sided obviously, with a waitress for each side to better take care of our party of 25. as any large dinner party would go, I imagine the servers would get tired of the party by the end of the night and do anything to rush them out. in a hurried manner the waitress for my side came out to prepare our checks. she was quick while moving down the line asking, "together or separate?" my turn came. "together or separate?" pointing across the table at an unsuspecting matt wilson, "mine's on his" no hesitation. it was totally smooth. before he could even begin to protest, she was three people down and my meal was paid for.

i'm usually not that quick on my feet. I was quite proud of that moment.

marriage hints from steve

while annie and I receive several marriage tips and lessons from steve, we also receive the "you should get married" hints - mainly because he wants what's best for us, but sometimes because he's just plain sick of us (mostly me). yesterday's went like this: "I would be a great grandpa, the best ever! that kid and I would go out and play for hours; you'd have to call me to bring him back." so sis, apparently we're not cutting it anymore - he wants grand-kids, time to get married.

one phone call, that's all. . .

I had been expecting a call - I had been set up. this call came in the form of text that eventually turned out to be me placing the call.

since I frequent the gym, I called from the gym between personal trainer and yoga class. prefaced the call with, "my plans have changed and I'm going to stay for yoga, but wanted to give you a call because I said I would." then start the phone date/interview - not really expected, but I went with it. (I'm thinking he'd call, ask me out, and we'd go through the get-to-know-you questions.) we chatted for a while, and then I kindly said, "I'm going to have to let you go, my yoga class is starting." "oh, well, oh, oh, this wasn't expected." apparently, that wasn't expected and he had a hard time believing that I was cutting him off (didn't I tell him I was going to yoga?). I apologized for my plans changing (at least two more times), but yoga was where I was going and he was welcome to call me again. then I get a line of, "well can I call you again, are you interested, be honest with me?" (thinking, didn't I just say to call me another time?) I told him it would be fine if he called me again, but I needed to get going.

we hang up, I go to yoga, get in touch with my inner-self, and then read two new text messages from the set up, "thanks for the brush off-anyone normal could have at least acted interested. have some decency to be a human-being--its not cool to be so cold."

jaw drop, quiet gasp, shocked laughter.
seriously? do I really deserve that? I saw nothing wrong with my mode of conduct (also verified by two witnesses) but apparently it wasn't normal or human.

well sir, don't be expecting a text back from me, I don't need that.

marriage lessons with steve

often, annie and I receive marriage lessons from our dear dad. today's went like this:

annie - I'll just have my husband be in charge of that
dad - what fantasy life do you live in? don't you know that your mom married the last perfect husband out there? they're all idiots.
annie - oh

so no more dreaming for us, apparently all the good ones are gone

merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

in the future. . .

. . . I have some great stories for you. they just need some time to be written and to settle a bit. but, you will laugh, maybe cry or drop your jaw because I did. they are a-maz-ing

conversation of the day at work:

hurried gentleman: is mr. so & so in?
me: no, I haven't seen him today
hurried gentleman: I'm supposed to pick something up from him
me: he's not here and I don't believe any of his people are either -quick check down the hall to appease-
me: none of his people are here and they didn't leave anything with me for pick up
hurried gentleman: well I'm supposed to pick something up, and they're not going to be happy about this
me: do you know who told you it was available for pickup?
hurried gentleman: -huff, head shake, look at cell phone-there isn't anything for XYZ company or mr. this & that?
me: no they didn't leave anything with me
hurried gentleman: well do you know when mr. so & so will be in?
me: no I'm not his assistant
hurried gentleman: well is his assistant in?
me: no (thinking - that's what I meant by his people aren't in)
hurried gentleman: huff & walk away

maybe it's not as funny if you weren't there, but he just really didn't get it